Expert: Brad Sears - 3/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: My husband's pickup has siezed exhaust manifold bolts on the underneath side.  He has tried heating up the motor, then tapping the bolt, but there is not enough clearance room.  He has sprayed different brands of lubricants on them with no success.  Short of pulling the motor, do you know of a way to remove them.  It almost seems that where these bolts are located, it requires a right angle driver for an air impact wrench.  Any idea where he can get one of these if that is an option?  Thank you.

ANSWER: What engine does he have in the truck?

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QUESTION: Not sure but know it is a v-8.  I will find out for sure tonight.

ANSWER: I'll be waiting

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is a 360 v-8.  Thanks for waiting.

Answer
OK, if I were doing this job at home here is how I would proceed. First I would wash the engine down to get rid of all the oil and grease on it. I use Simple Green to do this. Then I would get, rent, or borrow an acetylene torch set up. Tool rental centers can be a good source. With a small tip on the torch heat the ears of the cylinder heads ( one at a time, and make sure to have a fire extinguisher handy) where the bolt screws in until it glows dull red. Then turn the bolt head with a snug fitting wrench. If the bolt head is rounded use a big pair of vise grips. Do not apply the heat while the vice grips are on the bolt head as they will ACT AS A HEAT SINK AND CARRY THE HEAT AWAY FROM THE BOLT AND GET REAL HOT REAL QUICK..
Brad